Kevin Pietersen stays unrepentant over ODI retirement

Pietersen said he had 'fallen out of love' with one-day cricketPaul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images

Kevin Pietersen gave an impassioned justification for his decision to retire from one-day international cricket after making 78 for England in the third Test at Edgbaston yesterday.

Pietersen announced his retirement last week, claiming the ECB contract system prevented him from playing international Twenty20 cricket without also making himself available for the 50-overs format. At 31, having played international cricket for seven years, he believes it may prolong his career.

“I can’t play at my peak and can’t keep enjoying every single game when I’m playing every single form of cricket and when I have to train every single day,” Pietersen said. “You fall out of love with it and I want to carry on and play cricket until I’m 35.